Classical Armenian Studies MSt

MSt Classical Armenian Studies

The MSt Classical Armenian Studies give students experience in reading and interpreting a wide range of Armenian texts, from a choice of genres, either as a stand-alone qualification or as a solid foundation in the subject for those intending to go on to do doctoral research.

About

Within the long span of Armenian history, the study of Armenia at Oxford concentrates on the period when Armenian sources give valuable information not only about Armenian culture itself, but also about neighbouring peoples of the Near East. Emphasis is given to the study of the classical and medieval forms of the language and to Armenian literature from the fifth to the seventeenth centuries.

This is an intensive one-year taught degree course. After an initial introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical Armenian, you will read a variety of texts. An understanding of the literary culture of the period and the historical background is thus obtained directly from the original sources.

The course consists of four papers. The first is a core course on the language, literature, history, and culture of Ancient and Medieval Armenia.

The remaining three papers are core courses on key Armenian literary genres. For these papers you must choose to study texts in three of the following subjects:

biblical texts
homiletic and polemical literature
hagiographic texts
historical literature of the 5th-9th centuries
historical literature of the 10th-14th centuries
religious and secular verse
any other subject approved by the Faculty Board

Teaching offered consists of classes and tutorials and may include lectures and seminars.

Preparation for the core course is normally achieved through individual reading and six to eight tutorials for which essays not exceeding 2,500 words on set topics will be written and discussed.

The remaining three papers are prepared for in grammar and text reading classes for which thorough, extensive preparation is required of on average a minimum of four hours per hour in class.

Classes are normally offered for four hours a week during Michaelmas and Hilary terms (the first two terms of the academic year), as well as the first four weeks in Trinity term. These are followed by three weeks of revision by the candidate(s) during which revision classes or meetings - online or in person - may be organised before the examinations which normally take place in week eight of Trinity term.

Assessment

You will prepare for four examinations. The core course examination paper will consist of essay questions. You are generally required to answer three questions out of ten or so that are set.

The examination of the remaining three papers on key Armenian literary genres will consist of passages to be translated in the three types of text chosen by you, with brief questions on the background, content or grammar of the passages set.

Every candidate will be examined by oral examination (viva voce) unless they have been individually excused by the examiners.

Funding

Applications received for this course by the January deadline will also be considered for funding if applications meet the eligibility criteria, including the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) London Trust Scholarship.

Teaching Staff

Resources for study

Libraries and museums

Oxford is the only university in the UK where Armenian may be studied as a main subject. The Armenian resources of the Bodleian Library are excellent, and students also use the Nizami Ganjavi Library at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Adjacent to the Faculty is the Ashmolean Museum, which houses superb collections.

In addition to this, there are a number of other specialist library collections in Oxford such as:

The Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library includes the principal library for Egyptology and ancient Near Eastern Studies. The Khalili Research Centre is the University of Oxford's centre for research and teaching in the art and material culture of the Islamic societies of the Middle East and of non-Muslim members and neighbours

Faculty resources

Students have access to the University's centrally provided electronic resources, the Faculty's IT Officer, and other bibliographic, archive or material sources as appropriate to the topic. There is a computing room for the use of graduate students in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, as well as a common room where tea and coffee are available and staff and students can meet.

Oxford colleges

Oxford’s colleges provide support, facilities and membership of a friendly and stimulating academic community. All colleges provide library and IT facilities, welfare support, and sports and social events. Although your academic studies will be directed by the faculty, colleges can be a valuable source of support. Please check the application guide for information about colleges.

How to apply

Apply

Make an application, check the course entry requirements and what supporting documents you need to submit

Application Guide

The University's Application Guide covers all aspects of completing the graduate application form and uploading your supporting documents

How-to-guides

Students and staff provide tips and advice on preparing your application for postgraduate study, such as how to write a personal statement

FAQs

Can I submit one 4,000 word piece of written work instead of two 2,000 word pieces?

Not for our courses. We ask for two pieces which will show a range of ability rather than two highly similar pieces and you may find it useful to check the criteria your written work will be assessed for when choosing your samples. Your samples can be extracts from longer pieces of work and if this is the case, please indicate this on a cover page, or at the beginning of each piece of work.

Where can I find out about funding available for applicants?

Your best guide to funding opportunities will always be the University's admissions webpages. We recommend that you use the Fees, funding and scholarship search which is a useful tool for finding any funding that you may be eligible to apply for.

If you submit your application by the January deadline you will automatically be considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships. There’s no separate scholarship application process or extra supporting documentation required for funding. Based on the information supplied in your graduate application, you will be automatically considered for scholarships where you meet the eligibility criteria with most scholarships using academic merit and/or potential as the basis on which award decisions are made.

However, please note, in addition to submitting an application form for your chosen course, the scholarships listed on the following page also require an additional application to be considered for them.